The digital shift has significantly expanded the reach of the gambling industry in the Philippines. While the country has established frameworks for legal gaming through the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), the rise of unlicensed platforms and sophisticated "casino scams" has created a pressing need for public vigilance.

In the Philippine legal context, participating in or facilitating unauthorized gambling is a criminal offense, and falling victim to a scam requires immediate, coordinated action with specific government agencies.

1. Identifying Illegal vs. Legal Platforms

Before reporting, it is crucial to distinguish between a legitimate operation and an illegal one. Under Presidential Decree No. 1869 (the PAGCOR Charter) and Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act), an online gambling platform is considered illegal if:

It operates without a valid POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) license or a local gaming license from PAGCOR.
It targets Filipino citizens without the necessary domestic permits.
The platform offers "fixed" results or refuses to process withdrawals through arbitrary "verification" hurdles—classic signs of a scam.

2. Primary Authorities for Reporting

To effectively shut down an illegal operation or seek redress for fraud, reports should be directed to the following bodies:

A. PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation)

As the primary regulator, PAGCOR maintains an Offshore Gaming Licensing Department. They track unauthorized sites using their name or logo without permission.

What to report: Unlicensed websites, physical "fronts" for online betting, and platforms claiming false PAGCOR accreditation.

B. PNP-ACG (Philippine National Police - Anti-Cybercrime Group)

The PNP-ACG is the frontline for criminal investigation. They handle violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act, specifically online fraud and illegal gambling operations.

Contact: You can visit their headquarters at Camp Crame or report via their official website and social media "Cyber Tiktik" hotlines.

C. NBI-CCD (National Bureau of Investigation - Cybercrime Division)

The NBI is often preferred for complex scams involving international syndicates or large-scale financial fraud.

Procedure: You may file a formal complaint at the NBI Building in Manila or their regional offices. They possess the technical capability to trace IP addresses and financial flows.

D. DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology)

The DICT works alongside law enforcement to take down or block access to malicious domains and illegal gambling URLs within Philippine cyberspace.

3. Essential Evidence to Gather

When filing a report, the "burden of proof" initially rests on the complainant to provide actionable intelligence. Ensure you have the following:

Screenshots: Capture the website URL, your account dashboard, and any promotional materials.
Transaction Records: Save all proof of deposits or transfers (e-wallet receipts from GCash/Maya, bank transfers, or cryptocurrency hash IDs).
Communication Logs: Save chat transcripts from Telegram, WhatsApp, or the site’s "customer service" portals.
Technical Data: If possible, note the IP addresses or the specific bank accounts/mobile numbers where funds were sent.

4. Legal Protections and Risks

Under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, victims of casino scams can file charges for Computer-related Fraud.

Warning: It is important to note that under Presidential Decree No. 1602 (as amended), individuals who knowingly play on illegal gambling sites may also face legal liability. However, law enforcement typically prioritizes the "operators" and "scammers" over the individual bettors, especially in cases where the platform was misrepresented as a legal entity.

5. Step-by-Step Reporting Process

Immediate Documentation: Cease all interaction with the platform and document everything immediately.
Affidavit of Complaint: For the PNP or NBI to take formal action, you will likely need to execute a sworn statement (affidavit) detailing how you were defrauded.
E-Wallet/Bank Intervention: If the scam involved a local payment gateway (e.g., GCash), report the specific account to the provider’s fraud department to have the recipient account flagged or frozen.
Verification: Check the PAGCOR List of Licensed Service Providers online to confirm the site's status before escalating to a criminal complaint.